BIBLE BENEDICTIONS

PAUL’S BENEDICTION

2 Corinthians 13:14

“The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and
the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all” (2 Corinthians
13:14).

This benediction
found in the Apostle Paul’s second letter to the Corinthians’ Church is one of
the most widely known benedictions in the Bible that is commonly used by
pastors to bless their congregations at the end of their worship services.

The
apostle concluded this letter (2 Corinthians 13:14)
by invoking the blessings of all three members of the Trinity: Father (God),
Son (Lord Jesus Christ), and Holy Spirit. His benediction at the end of this
letter emphasizes the grace that finds its source in the Son (grace from the
Lord Jesus Christ), the love manifested by the Father (the love of God), and
the fellowship established and sustained by the Holy Spirit (the communion of
the Holy Spirit).

Though
the term Trinity is not explicitly used in Scripture, verses such as this one,
that is, 2 Corinthians 13:14 (see also Luke 1:35—the angel Gabriel’s
announcement of Jesus’ birth to Mary Matthew 3:17—the Father’s voice was heard
at the baptism of Jesus and Matthew 28:19—Jesus’ commission to the disciples),
clearly proves the reality of it. They show that it was believed and
experienced through knowing God’s grace, love, and fellowship.

Obviously,
these three great trinitarian blessings are the solutions to many, if not all
of the problems in the Body of Christ today. The Holy Spirit, who dwells in
each of us can empower us to live righteously, if we allow Him. He can also
reconcile us to each other, and help us to love and encourage each other
instead of fighting each other. As Christians, we need God’s grace, not
selfishness we need God’s love, not anger and definitely fellowship, not
conflict.

The
“grace of the Lord Jesus Christ” comes first, for this is the only way that we
can come to the love of the Father (John 14:6). The communion or fellowship of
the Holy Spirit unites all the believers, regardless of their earthly
distinctions, into one body, the Church. Anyone who has the fellowship of the Holy Spirit also has the grace of Christ and the
love of God, for the three cannot be separated. The Holy Spirit conveys the
Father’s love to us (see John 14:16-26) and brings Christ’s grace to us (Philippians 4:23, NIV Hebrews 10:29).

Note:
The doctrine of the Holy Trinity was not completely revealed until the Lord
Jesus Christ came. Even now we know the Three in One more in their relation to
us than in their mutual relation to one another.

Blessings!!!

THE AARON'S OR PRIESTLY BENEDICTION

Numbers 6:22-27

"The Lord bless you and keep you the
Lord make His face shine upon you and be gracious to you the Lord turn
His face toward you and give you peace" (Numbers 6:24-26).

This famous Aaronic benediction found in the Old
Testament Book of Numbers is one of the great blessings in the Bible, repeated
by many pastors weekly in blessing their congregation at the end of their
worship services. It is a blessing on all of the people of Israel placed
here in Numbers 6:22-27 as a conclusion to the covenant God had given from the
thundering top of Mount Sinai and from the glorious tabernacle.

God's blessing on the people of Israel was not
gained by outstanding acts of devotion on their part. Rather, God freely
blessed His people as a mark of His outstanding grace and mercy. He would
bless and keep--that is, take care of the nation of Israel. He also
would make His face shine on the Israelites and be gracious to them (cf. Exodus
34:6).

The face of God’s holiness that was to shine
upon Israel could equal life or death, but God desired His blessings to fall
upon those who were faithful so that they could experience peace (Numbers 6:26)
and wholeness in their relationship with their redeeming God.